It cannot be overstated how important it is for companies to have access to an evacuation chair and the proper training to utilize it. According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, company owners have a legal obligation to protect the safety of all individuals on their property.

Emergencies may happen anywhere, at any time, and company owners must always be prepared to safely and promptly evacuate everyone from their premises. We thought we'd review a prior piece on the necessity of evacuation chairs, what they are, and how they operate, given SHP's emphasis on fire safety this month.

What are the functions of evacuation chairs?

DirectAccess told us that in the case of an emergency, such as a fire, evacuation chairs offer a secure and pleasant means for mobility handicapped persons to exit a facility.

The chairs can assist a wide range of persons that may be present in your facility. Due to a handicap, an accident, mental health, pregnancy, or other medical circumstances, a person may be unable to evacuate without help. During an emergency, evacuation chairs enable people to escape a facility swiftly and securely.

Disabled evacuation chairs, stairs evacuation chairs, fire evacuation chairs, and evac chairs are all terms used to describe evacuation chairs.

How does an evacuation chair work?

The chairs are constructed of lightweight yet durable materials. The chair's tracks produce friction as it descends the steps, slowing the drop and allowing for a more controlled descent. When a person reaches ground level, the chair may be converted into a wheelchair, allowing the evacuee to reach safety. When not in use, evacuation seats fold flat and are neatly stowed against the wall.

It's critical that you have individuals in your facility who have been trained to handle evacuation chairs. This is done to ensure that anybody supporting the evacuee is confident and capable of getting everyone to safety quickly and efficiently.

Is it necessary for me to use an evacuation chair?

It is the obligation of the person in charge of a building to submit a fire safety risk assessment, according to existing fire safety laws. An emergency evacuation plan for all persons who are expected to be on the premises, including handicapped people, should be included in this evaluation.

If your structure is available to the public, you may have a diverse group of visitors or consumers. In the United Kingdom today, 7.6 million persons aged 16 to 64 have a handicap, accounting for around one in every eight people. If an emergency occurs, there is a good probability that one of your guests or workers may need the aid of an evacuation chair.

Although neither the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 nor the Equality Act 2010 specifically mention evacuation chairs, it could be considered discrimination if a business owner or service provider fails to provide a safe evacuation plan for disabled people or restricts access to parts of the building.

Don’t take any chances with evacuation chairs

Evacuation chairs are essential in a building's fire safety and evacuation strategy. It's critical that all employees, customers, and visitors be able to securely exit a facility in the case of an emergency. Evacuation chairs may save lives, and it is your obligation as a company owner to ensure that you are completely prepared in the event of an emergency.

When an emergency occurs, it is critical that everyone be evacuated as soon as possible, but this may be difficult when individuals in danger are in wheelchairs and in high-rise buildings. It is common for elevators to be out of service during an event and getting a wheelchair downstairs might be challenging when time is of the importance.

Why should you get evacuation chairs?

Evacuation chairs play a critical function in this situation. Evacuation chairs and vehicles are critical for those with mobility issues evacuating a hazardous building. There are a variety of gadgets on the market that help individuals safely descend stairwells by supporting and transporting them out of harm's path.

The following are the three key design concepts used in the production of emergency evacuation chairs:

Supports for Chairs

The typical wheelchair, which is joined to an existing chair by a supporting frame and handlebars. These chairs can be utilized on flat, level ground, but when negotiating a flight of steps, the fold away handles are deployed, allowing two persons to carry the chair up and down the stairs. In tiny hallways and small pathways, current wheelchairs are more maneuverable than stair climbers.

Platform for Climbing

A stair climbing platform, which has wheeled or tracked bases, enables the person to be softly and safely lowered downstairs, is the second approach. The beauty of these gadgets is that they allow a wheelchair user to stay in their chair while it is being positioned and fastened onto the platform. These may typically be controlled by a single person and feature a built-in braking mechanism, making them fully safe to use.

Chairs for Evacuation

The third concept is a motorized chair designed exclusively for stair climbing and descending. The built-in comfy chair is supported by a sturdy, solid frame, and each step is carefully navigated using wheels and tracks. Even a modestly built individual may effectively use these motorized stair climbers during an emergency.

Final words

When picking an evacuation chair, keep in mind the number of chairs that may be needed in an emergency, how they will be stored when not in use, and how easy they will be to put up when needed. When an event happens, you must have adequate chairs on hand, as well as educated employees who can help users and chairs that are appropriate for purpose. Carrying a wheelchair and its user down 18 flights of stairs would be difficult, therefore a gravity-assisted chair is the best option. A variety of conditions and factors must be considered when determining the optimal strategy, although there is a large range of options accessible.